how to upgrade your morning routine

You may have heard that the first 15 minutes of your day are the most important.

If you haven't, now you have! And I happen to 100% agree with this statement.

What you do in those first few minutes after waking up really can make (or break) the rest of your day!

Think about it: will grabbing your phone to scroll through Instagram the moment you open your eyes make you feel energized and present?

Or would waking up to stretch and tell yourself (yes, out loud) "I'm going to have a great day today" do the trick?

I think you know the answer 😎

So here are 4 steps to having an amazing mindset in the morning + setting the rest of your day up for success:

1️⃣ When you wake up — don't do ANYTHING (yet).

We tend to grab our phones or hop out of bed the moment our alarm clock wakes us up. But by doing this, we skip over an amazing opportunity in the morning to simply be still, take a few deep breaths, and enjoy some peace and quiet.

I've noticed that when I personally do this, it's a lot harder to say, "I've had SUCH a hectic morning."

Sure, some days are busier than others. But at least by taking a few moments of stillness, you can get a moment to quiet your mind and be present with yourself.

2️⃣ Ignore your phone, even if you have notifications.

At least for these first 15 minutes, stay off of screens. Instead, get out of bed and brush your teeth, grab coffee, and start to get ready.

Before getting dressed, I also like to either read a few pages of a book or write a few things I'm grateful for in my journal.

You might find your regular, everyday morning routine to feel a lot less stressful without your phone distracting you and reminding you of what you have to do all day.

3️⃣ Reflect on your day, but try to swap the negatives for positives.

I know some days may not feel super cheerful and exciting, but simply adjusting the narrative we tell ourselves in the morning can be extremely powerful.

Our minds believe what we tell them. So whenever possible, I try to catch myself & see if I can tweak my thoughts to be more positive.

For example...I could either think to myself, "Today is going to be a lot. I have so much on my plate and doubt I'll get it all done."

Or I can think, "Today is going to be challenging, but challenges can be rewarding. I have a lot going on... but I'm only human, and all I can do is my best."

4️⃣ If you have time, move your body and cook yourself a well-balanced meal for breakfast.

Getting in movement first thing in the morning, topped off with a balanced breakfast, is honestly my favorite thing. It brings me so much joy!

You don't need to get a full 45-minute workout in to enjoy the benefits. Simply doing some light morning yoga or taking a quick walk around the block counts!

This habit is especially helpful when I feel anxious in the morning. Moving my body feels like I'm shaking off some of that anxiety and makes my head feel much clearer as I start my tasks for the day.

Plus, a nutrient-dense breakfast will keep you full and satisfied for hours. This is a LOT better than feeling sluggish from either skipping breakfast entirely or grabbing a quick snack from the pantry.

If you loved these tips, send me a DM on Instagram! I'd love to know if they've helped you create a morning routine you feel great about.